Imagine this – while Zagreb is gearing up for the biggest concert in the history of independent Croatia with half a million people at the hippodrome, small businesses around the area are on the brink of a meltdown! Friday, Saturday, Sunday – the days when small entrepreneurs usually make the most money, but no, because of Marko Perković Thompson’s concert, neighborhoods around the hippodrome are practically closed to traffic. Shops in Kajzerica, Središće, and Zapruđe are in chaos – some have already posted notices saying “We are closed on Saturday, 5.7.” while others are still debating whether to risk it. “It’s not that we don’t want to work, but we’re afraid that a dozen drunk people might come into the store and cause chaos,” says an electronics store manager. While transport is being organized and police announce security measures, small businesses are left to fend for themselves. Some florists, dry cleaners, and bakeries are working shortened or normal hours, but most have decided not to work on Saturday. And what about the traffic jams? Police warn that traffic jams will be inevitable, and the concert manager asks visitors to come earlier or the day before because otherwise, it will be impossible to reach the hippodrome. To make matters worse, the weather has changed – after a heatwave, more pleasant weather is expected on the day of the concert, but that won’t help small shops that have already lost the chance to earn. All in all, while the city prepares for a spectacle, small businesses are left in the lurch, and citizens wonder – who will pay the price for this chaos? If you have similar experiences or think this is unfair, feel free to drop a comment and share your thoughts. Let the voice of the little people be heard in big events!
